“You were a hero to face that villain. And you rounded up all the right people to assist you and me. Thank you again.”
The conductor was further up the platform assisting an elderly gentleman from his car. She had thanked and tipped everyone on the train earlier, but waved once more and received a grin and tip of the cap in return. Once the “excitement” had been dealt with, she very much enjoyed the trip and seeing the scenery coming across the country. But now she was here in Green River with another adventure to start.
Glancing around the platform she saw her sister waving at her, flanked by a pair of gentlemen who appeared to be brothers. Neither was wearing a red shirt, but either one could be her fiancé! As the trio made its way toward her, where she stood surrounded by her luggage, which had miraculously appeared next to her as she was searching for Celeste, she tried to study the two gentlemen's faces.
The one with the lighter colored hair had a big grin on his face and his hand protectively cupping her sister's elbow. Interesting! The other man was also smiling broadly, but seem to have a more serious cast to his face. That one, she thought, must be Charles, based on our correspondence. He looks thoughtful and caring.
She was unaware of her own beaming face, so happy to see her sister safe and sound, although she wondered where Samantha might be. It was unusual to see her sister without the baby in tow.
Celeste had pulled away from her escort and flung her arms about Miranda who return the hug with enthusiasm. Then the two sisters step back from each other still holding on to each other's arms. Almost in unison, they cried out, “I'm so happy to see you safe and sound!” Then they laughed that each had had the exact same thought for the other.
Turning back to the gentleman, Celeste said, “Please allow me to present the Hardwick brothers. To our right, Miranda, is Charles Patrick, known as ‘Chip,’ and to our left is Sylvester, his older brother. They neglected to mention there were two of them, but,” she glanced at her sister, “you also failed to mention your family.”
“Oh, no, that's not possible. We corresponded for months!” And then she realized they had talked about everything under the sun but their family members.
“Gentlemen, this is my sister Miranda Belden. We can discuss all the details once we are driving. We do seem to be attracting a bit of attention here.”
Sylvester reddened slightly, but Chip merely laughed and, once more cupping Celeste’s elbow and, leaving Miranda for Sylvester to assist, began escorting the ladies off the platform. The station porter Sylvester had snagged quickly summoned another to assist and they loaded the trunks and the boxes onto a trolley and followed the two couples.
Miranda had retained her valise but Sylvester, bowing slightly, took it from her. Seeing her continue to glance back and forth from him to his brother, he smiled at her very warmly and said softly, “It is so very good to finally meet you in person. My apologies for the confusion but we will explain it all shortly.”
Knowing her sister had packed all her household goods, Celeste had made sure to suggest a slightly larger conveyance than the small surrey Chip had used to fetch her. The porters quickly loaded the buckboard wagon, pulled by a draft horse, with Miranda's luggage, and they were on their way.
“We are headed to the home of Pastor and Mrs. Richardson,” explained Celeste. “They have graciously housed Samantha and me these past two days while we awaited your arrival. I can tell you have news to share about your trip, but look as if you could stand a cup of tea first.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could tell me if you'd heard from Papa.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Celeste, “That's what I meant to tell you first! Yes! He wired to say the entire Krause Gang had been rounded up including the two men you captured on the train.”
“Oh, no, don't tell me he sent that in the open!”
“No, he used our childhood code. I'll show you the wire. I did take the Richardsons and the Hardwick brothers into our confidence because it wasn't fair to endanger them, should there be any other villains.”
Miranda had been looking around as they drove through town and although it was rather dusty, the town was quite pretty and seemed to have a decent number of shops.
Celeste turned to Chip. “I don't seem to recall this many people tipping hats and nodding when we came through two days ago.”
“Well, I merely run the lumberyard, whereas Sylvester, as our local attorney, is rather a bigger kettle of fish. You'll notice he's the one that's been returning most of the greetings.”
Seeing the Town
While awaiting Miranda's arrival, Chip had escorted Celeste throughout the town, introducing her to the shopkeepers, simply saying she was staying with the Richardsons, even bringing her into La Belle Mode, a dress shop.
He had also taken her to the sawmill, showing her around Hardwick Lumber and the operations, and brought her up to the office, showing her his books. She glanced at them and back at him.
“These seem reasonably in order,” she said.
“Well they should be, I'm quite good with numbers.”
“And I can read your handwriting,” she said.
“Yes, but every hour I spend in here has to be after work because I am needed in the yard during the day. So I am working 10 hours a day and barely getting sleep. I desperately need your help here.”
She tilted her head down
